The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-03-31
1.-The Coupon g1usher. y

The bill prepared in accordance with
the recommendation of the Governor, and
published in this issue, has been chris
tened the. Coupon Crusher' by those who
profess to believe that it will prove effec-
tive in preventing the inflow of the ''cut-
worms of the Treasury" We are told that
Mr.. Tpcker.and other distinguished consti.
tutional lawyers have declared that it will
stand the test of the courts and prove the
salvation of the State. To one who calmly re-
views the history of recent debt legislation
in Va, it can present no other Aspect than
the introduction of an additional obstruc-
| ti0n to the final settlement of the veXed
and vexing question. 1t is but one more
link in the long chain of obstructive
measures which is dragging the old Com.
monwealth deeper and deeper into the
mire, Its purpose is to defy the law--tO
nullify the degrees of tie highest judicial
tribunal. Before tna5 tribunal it must
pass in review. The Supreme Court must
either bring itself into contempt. or blot
this bantling of partizanism from the
SGcsuuGO bUOh5 VI tAO OOulAOu w Cclbus
IF the bill should pass the Legislature and
receive executive approval, its only effect
| would be to pile up costs upon the State,
postpone any real settlement, land end in hui.
initiating failure. Standing upon The ground
marked ont for him by the law-maklng
power of this land, the Taxpayer has
nothing to fear from the idle threats of
confessed law-breakers. The principle of
notification involved in the proposed act,
will return toplague its inventors. If the
Legislature can afford 60 defy the Supreme
court, then the people can afford to defy
the Legislature. The precedent thus laid
down will find ready limitations. The final
result will be the wiping out Of the last
vestige Of respect for the State statutes,
and the open challenge to the officer to
perform his duty at his peril. To that
complexion has it now come. The county
treasurers hold in their hands to-day thous-
ands of tax tickets which they dare not
attempt to collect by legal process. The
| taxpayer stands upon a tender of coupons
and no man undertakes to subject his
property to sale.
It is the sheerest folly to threaten the
timid with continuing judgments and fic.
titious costs. When a sovereign State
places herself in the attitude of the ass in
the lions skin. the terror of the first
glance will but stimulate 10 resentment
when the deception is exposed. When heI
Jaws are relaxed and her grasp powerless
she but invites derision in the effort to
inspire awe. The law is the power to en-
force the law. and without that power the
attempt to exercise legal functions be-
comes pitiabie farce.
The Supreme Court does not intend that
its Gecrees shall be evaded or openly de
fed by the Legislature of Virginia. 1t has
based those DEGREES upon its interpreta-
ton of the Constitution. There it plants
itself and there it will stand. There is
no higher authority. 1t is subject to no
review. The Legislators must conform to
its dec isions in letter and in spirit. Until
| they do, every act is mere nnllity, and
! the time, the money and the patience OF
| the people will be worse than wasted.